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Manti Pageant attracts thousands By
Jonas Manuel
Characters in the Manti Pageant, from left, are Mike Dean as Himner, Matt Dean as Ammon, Owen Petersen as King Lamoni, and Becky Wilson as a New England pioneer. / Photo by Jonas C. Manuel MANTI -- Thousands of people and hundreds of families gather each year in this central Utah town to experience what the Latter-day Saints call The Mormon Miracle Pageant. Many travel great distances to learn the history of the Mormon people. "Mormon and non-Mormons come from all over, to learn about this wonderful, true story," said Owen Petersen, of nearby Richfield, who acted in the pageant last weekend. Petersen, who plays the Book of Mormon character King Lamoni, said the pageant was a great activity for all families and a wonderful opportunity to learn about the history of the church. The pageant depicts the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the foundation of their beliefs, and the persecutions and trials they experience during their migration to the Salt Lake Valley. "It would be nice, but we realize that not everyone is going to up and join the church because of the pageant," says Petersen. "But it does send out a strong message about our history and the strength of the pioneers, that really touches a lot of people." Becky Wilson, of West Haven, said that she had grown stronger in her beliefs and faith, and believed that others who are Mormon shared that experience. "I feel like I can almost relate to those people who lived during the early time of the church, because of my personal struggles I've had in life, and I know that there are others that do also," said Wilson. Wilson, who plays a New England pioneer in the pageant, said that she had talked with many people who had been impressed by the play. Also attending the pageant was a youth group from Southern California called the Soul Patrol. They said that their mission was to learn more about other religions and their beliefs but also to share what they believe in regards to Christianity. Samuel Proctor, from California, said the group shared what they believe through drama and skits. "We don't share the same beliefs as the Mormons and I'm very content with my own, but it is interesting to learn about them and their history," said Eli Phelps, of California, a member of the Soul Patrol. According to the pageant programs, the pageant started over 30 years ago and has become one of the nation's largest outdoor theatrical presentations. Each year it has over a thousand volunteers participate and more than 100,000 people come to witness the performance. Performances begins the third weekend in June and end the fourth weekend.
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